Stinziano seeks reelection as Franklin County auditor

Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano, a Democrat, is certified for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election ballot as he seeks to keep the office he has held since 2019.

Stinziano took office on March 11, 2019, as the first Democrat to serve as Franklin County auditor, according to the Franklin County Auditor's Office. He won the seat in November 2018 by defeating Republican incumbent Clarence Mingo.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Franklin County Auditor
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Ballot status: Certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady
Birthplace: Columbus, Ohio (born Nov. 23, 1979, at Mount Carmel West Hospital in Franklinton)
Hometown: Grew up in the Short North and University District communities of Columbus
Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Richmond; master's degree from George Washington University; juris doctor from Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

Experience and public service

Stinziano held elected office at three levels before becoming auditor. He served as a state representative for Ohio's 25th District from 2011 to 2013 and later represented the 18th District from 2013 to 2016, according to Wikipedia.

He then served on Columbus City Council from January 2016 to February 2019, holding Seat 1. He chaired the Neighborhoods, Technology and Public Utilities committees and served as president pro tem, according to BallotReady.

Stinziano also held several appointed positions. He worked as director of the Franklin County Board of Elections in 2008, according to BallotReady. He served as assistant to the general counsel at the Ohio Secretary of State's office under Jennifer Brunner and as a legal extern at the Supreme Court of Ohio.

He also worked as a law clerk for the Ohio House Democratic Caucus and as a research assistant for two members of the British Parliament. He was a staff member at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars at the Smithsonian Institution. He has taught as an adjunct law professor at Capital University Law School.

On the issues

Property assessments and housing: Stinziano said on his campaign website that he is "championing a triennial review process which is transparent and accessible to homeowners and businesses to ensure that the growth of the community does not displace people from their property."